Many carers ‘not aware they are entitled to State benefits’

MANY people caring for aged or sick relatives are not aware of the wide range of State benefits available, a conference heard at the weekend.

According to the 2002 census, there are 150,000 carers in the country, with some caring for three or four people, but thousands more do not recognise themselves as carers.

More than 500 carers attending the 15th national carers’ conference in Tralee heard themselves described as unsung heroes and heroines whose work was not fully appreciated by society.